Gregorian Institute: The Year in Leadership

Merry Christmas to you from all of us here at Benedictine College and the Gregorian Institute.We wanted to take a moment to thank you for your contributions and give you the chance to take advantage of an opportunity for time runs out.

Click here to help us promote Catholic identity in public life. Until January 1, qw are now offering my book What Pope Francis Really Said for donors who give $25 or more.

You are familiar with the work of the Gregorian Institute through its blog posts, but one of the most exciting programs in the Gregorian family is the Gregorian Fellows.

This Catholic leadership training program is touching the lives of amazing students.

This year, Gregorian Fellows met with World Series winning General Manager Dayton Moore and top Catholic business leaders, including Payless Shoe CEO Paul Jones, Kuerig CEO Larry Blanton and Silpada Jewelry CEO Jerry Kelly and Catholic leaders from all walks of life.

The Gregorian Institute also brought great speakers to Benedictine College:

• Contemporary Issues. Rev. Gene and Dr. Jacqueline Rivers from Harvard’s Seymour Institute on Black Church and Policy Studies spoke about Hope and Struggle: Police, Black Men and Violence. In line with Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision, they advocated for a faith-based response to the injustices that are occurring in the black community.

• Timeless Wisdom. Dr. Christopher Blum, Academic Dean at The Augustine Institute, presented on The French Revolution and the Coming Storm, drawing parallels between the leading causes of the French Revolution of 1789 and the political and social landscape of America today.

In November, students attended the annual fall conference sponsored by the Center for Ethics and Culture at the University of Notre Dame featuring Mary Ann Glendon, Sir Roger Scruton and Alasdair MacIntyre.

Gregorian Fellows were placed in exciting internships in such places as Sporting Kansas City Video Production; Enterprise Holdings, Rent-A-Car Division; Theology of the Body Institute; Acton Institute and BCM Youth Outreach; Centennial Institute intern; London School of Economics and Senator Pat Roberts’ office.

The Gregorian Fellows sponsored a film series to expose students to great films that address themes on virtue, friendship, community, and faith. Gregorian Fellow Claire Vouk met Pope Francis and will participate on a panel about American Saints with New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan in her work with Communion and Liberation.

It has been an exciting year, and I am absolutely certain that the accomplishments of these young people will surprise us, and as they succeed in life, they will have you to thank, in part, for their success.

Merry Christmas, and please consider supporting the Gregorian Institute in your holiday giving.

Yours in Christ,
Tom Hoopes

P.S. Don’t forget: For a donation of $25 or more, receive my book What Pope Francis Really Said.